Guardiola relieved with opening win

The Citizens had to wait until Saturday evening to get their campaign up and running with Guardiola wary that Liverpool were held to a 3-3 draw at Watford in the early kick-off, before reigning champions Chelsea crashed to a 3-2 home defeat against Burnley.

The first game is always complicated, in my experience, even with Barcelona - especially against a promoted side when they have the passion and are under no pressure at all.

Pep Guardiola

However, Sergio Aguero fired home after 70 minutes to give City the lead, before Lewis Dunk's own goal five minutes later settled matters in City's favour against the newly-promoted Seagulls at the Amex Stadium.

"The first game is always complicated, in my experience, even with Barcelona - especially against a promoted side when they have the passion and are under no pressure at all," said Guardiola.

"We saw what happened to Liverpool and Chelsea and we spoke about it. It was unexpected but this is the Premier League - I learned this last season.

"Here every game is a battle, but we controlled the game and it was always in our hands."

City, who are 1/80 to win the Premier League this season, will look to follow up the win at Brighton with another victory when Everton visit the Etihad Stadium on Monday week.

City are 3/10 to win, while Everton are priced at 10/1 and the draw is 5/1.

By accessing, continuing to use or navigating throughout this site you accept that we will use certain browser cookies to improve your customer experience with us. bet365 only uses cookies which will improve your experience with us and will not interfere with your privacy. Please refer to our
Cookies Policy for further information on our use of cookies and how you can disable or manage their use should you wish.